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Leeds man running in memory of his father

20 September 2008

A Leeds man has decided to tackle the Bupa Great North Run in memory of his beloved father Nirmal Singh Flora.

On Sunday 5 October, Jas Flora, age 38, from Leeds, will take part in the run with other thousands people from throughout the UK, and will be raising vital funds for Sue Ryder Care.
 
Jas is pulling on his running shoes to raise money for specialist palliative care at Sue Ryder Care’s Wheatfields Hospice where his father was cared for and supported to get the very best from his life in the time that he had left.

“Having seen the charity’s work first hand, and the real difference they can make to people’s quality of life, I decided that I wanted to raise money so they can support even more people who need their care.

My father was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1997 which was operated on. However, it came back in 2006 but had spread all over his body in a short period and it was coupled with kidney problems. He first went to Wheatfields in December 2006 for about two weeks where he received specialist care. He recovered from that and he seemed to have got better but in January 2007 was admitted to Hospital when he was very ill. The hospital said they could not do anything further and my father expressed a wish to spend his last moments at Wheatfields hospice where he was treated magnificently in December. He said he didn't want to be a burden to his family anymore and was happy at the Sue Ryder Care hospice. He was only there about four days before he passed away. He said Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields hospice was like a 5 star hotel to him and treated him with dignity”, Jas said.

“My father was lucky to get a place at Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields hospice and it made me wonder how many more people like him would benefit from the care given by the hospice. That’s the reason why I have decided to take on this challenge”, Jas added.
 
 “Training is hard, also because I have to try and fit it in with my other daily commitments, but it’s a good way to keep fit and having a purpose keep me motivated. ”, Jas explained.

Jas is hoping that many other people will decide to run in aid of Sue Ryder Care. “My Dad served the local Asian community all his life and while at Wheatfields hospice, he was visited by many community members and they were impressed with the personal care and the pleasant environment. Many were not aware of the services provided by Sue Ryder Care locally and hopefully the community will now look to support the charity through the various fund raising initiatives. As an example soon after my Dad passed away the Sikh Temple in Tong Road,  where my Dad served for many years, was visited by the Sue Ryder Chaplin and considerable funds were raised”, Jas added.

Sue Ryder Care needs to raise in the region of £13m in voluntary income each year to continue to provide care to people living with conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke and Cancer. With ambitious plans for growth in the next few years, the charity needs to innovate to raise as many funds as possible

Laura Savory, Events Coordinator at Sue Ryder Care, said: “I am delighted that Jas is supporting Sue Ryder Care. Sue Ryder Care looks after its runners. Every runner will receive a personalised service from Sue Ryder Care, including support with fundraising and training advice when you need it. With every pace, runners can help us help more people. I wish Jas every success in the run and hope he doesn’t come home with too many blisters!”

Sue Ryder Care supports people to live the lives they want, in the place where they want to live. The charity cares for people in their own homes and communities, in specialist hospices and in neurological care centres.

If you would like to sponsor Jas please visit http://www.justgiving.com/icenet, which provides a secure online fundraising facility.

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